Qadir would welcome banned Yousuf and Asif with open arms if allowed by PCB

Karachi, Dec.20 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief selector Abdul Qadir has said that he will welcome banned players like Mohammad Yousuf and Mohammad Asif for selection in the national squad if they are cleared for the same by the PCB. Qadir expressed that he will personally welcome Yousuf and Asif with open arms once they are cleared for selection procedures by the board. It is a fact that the cream of our cricket has defected to the Indian Cricket League (ICL). It includes some of our gems like Yousuf and I will happily welcome them back once the PCB clears them, he said. Mohammad Yousuf defected to the rebel Indian Cricket League after altercations with the team, and especially captain Shoaib Malik. PCB in return banned him from playing cricket for the country. Pace bowler Mohammad Asif, is battling against a possible two year ban after testing positive for banned steroid Nandrolone while playing in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier league (IPL)in May this year. Qadir admitted that the gap created by the absence of some star performers such as Mohammad Yousuf and Mohammad Asif will be hard to fill. Yousufs exit has left a big hole in our middle-order and its very important that we find a good replacement, The News quoted Qadir as saying. Despite lacking several star players in the team lineup, Qadir hoped that Pakistan will give a tough time to the Lankans in the upcoming series. There will be no excuses, he said adding I mean we have to give our best no matter what the circumstances are.(ANI)